History: Built
in 1834, the Ohio Penitentiary was actually the second Ohio Penitentiary, the third state prison, and the fourth jail in early
Columbus. In April, 1955 it housed an all-time high of 5,235 prisoners. Most prisoners were removed from the prison
by 1972 with the completion of the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, and the facility was closed in 1984. The state
sold the Ohio Penitentiary to the City of Columbus in 1995.

Today, the prison remains a major tourist attraction. People come from
all over to explore the historical facility, made famous by its appearance in several major motion pictures, including Air
Force One, Tango and Cash, and The Shawshank Redemption. Guided tours are given regularly during warmer seasons, including
ghost hunts for those interested. Check out the Ohio State Reformatory home page for more information.